Sunday Read: Krokbragd: Contemporary Weaving with Colour by Angie Parker
In Krokbragd: Contemporary Weaving with Colour, acclaimed British weaver Angie Parker offers a vivid, generous and deeply knowledgeable guide to one of Scandinavia’s most characterful weaving techniques. Rooted in Norwegian folk tradition yet brimming with modern vibrancy, krokbragd is a bound-weave structure loved for its rhythmic geometry, bold patterning and irresistible interplay of colour. Parker’s new book brings this centuries-old technique into sharp focus for today’s maker, combining meticulous instruction with an infectious enthusiasm that will speak to both seasoned weavers and absolute beginners.
Angie Parker, detail from Bristol krokbragd rug, 2020, rug wool on linen warp.
Across more than 400 photographs and step-by-step tutorials, Parker demystifies every stage of the process from equipment and warp preparation, to colour blending, finishing, and designing at the loom. Her approach is practical and encouraging, showing how the technique’s slow pace and repeat structure create space for spontaneity, intuition and play. For Parker, the joy of krokbragd lies in its freedom: the countless ways colours can clash, harmonise and shift; the infinite pattern possibilities that unfold with each pick of the weft.
Krokbragd weave by Angie Parker
Woven throughout the book is Parker’s own story. Shaped by early training in rug weaving, the influence of master weavers including Susan Foster, and a 30-year devotion to bound-weave structures, what began as an art-college fascination has grown into a career defined by colour, craftsmanship and an unwavering respect for hand-weaving. Her rugs, wall pieces and contemporary furnishings are celebrated for their exuberant palettes and impeccable finishing, qualities echoed in the book’s rich gallery of samples and projects.
"Pattern 5" with draft, featured in Chapter 5 of Krokbragd by Angie Parker
The book’s structure offers readers a clear and comprehensive path into the technique, with chapters covering an Introduction to krokbragd, its History, essential Equipment and Materials, detailed guidance on How to Weave Krokbragd, followed by sections on Inspiration, Planning and Design, Colour, Krokbragd Rugs, and Applications, Further Techniques and Projects. Together, they form a practical and inspiring resource for anyone wishing to learn, refine or reimagine this traditional weave.
Veland, Gjertrud Johannesdatter, traditional krokbragd and square weave coverlet, date unknown, length 152cm × width 119cm, Bymuseet i Bergen, Norway. Photo: City Museum of Bergen.
Parker also acknowledges the deeper history of krokbragd, tracing its evolution through Norwegian domestic craft, regional variations, and its transatlantic journey to North America, where weavers such as Lila Nelson and Robbie LaFleur have helped sustain and share its legacy. She situates the technique within a wider revival of hand-weaving, fuelled by contemporary art institutions, renewed interest in sustainable craft practices, and a growing appreciation of textiles as both heritage and innovation.
Krokbragd weave by Angie Parker
Yet this is more than a historical survey or technique manual. Krokbragd is an invitation: to slow down, to experiment, and to discover a personal voice within a time-honoured structure. Parker’s reflections on creativity, sustainability and the realities of craft livelihoods make the book feel as grounded as it is inspiring.
For anyone drawn to colour, texture and the quiet satisfaction of hand-weaving, Parker’s book is both a compelling introduction and a long-awaited celebration of a technique that continues to captivate makers around the world.
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Further Information:
Krokbragd: Contemporary Weaving with Colour by Angie Parker is available via the Selvedge Bookshop.
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Image Credits:
Lead: Book cover photograph courtesy of Angie Parker and Crowood Press
All further images as credited in photo captions.